This document discusses reducing feed costs for ruminants through the use of crop residues, byproducts, and feeding technology. It notes that ruminants are well-suited to utilize waste products from food and industrial processing. It then reviews several byproduct feeds like corn gluten feed, distillers grains, soybean hulls, and their benefits and effective inclusion rates in rations. The document advocates for the use of feeding bunks and TMR mixing to most efficiently utilize these ingredients and reduce costs.

1. ““Reducing RationReducing Ration
Costs with Residues,Costs with Residues,
By-ProductsBy-Products
and Feedingand Feeding
Technology”Technology”
Presented byPresented by
Ron LackeyRon Lackey
OMAFRAOMAFRA
Feed Ingredients and By-products Feeding SpecialistFeed Ingredients and By-products Feeding Specialist

2. “Ruminants are the recyclers of
the animal kingdom”
Ruminants are ideally suited to
produce high quality products
from the byproducts of food, feed
and industrial processing that
might otherwise be discarded.

3. Bio-energy Production is Creating
More Competition for Traditional
Feed Ingredients or Commodities
That Contain:
• Starch
• Sugar
• Fat
• Oils
• Cellulose (fibre)

4. $100
$125
$150
$175
$200
$225
$250
$275
$300
$325
- -
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Data Source: Daily Ontario Commodity Report
Corn vs. DDGS (C$/tonne)
Avg of Huron FOB Farm & Western Ont Feed Corn FOB Chatham, Sarnia, Aylmer Avg. DDGS Prices

5. $100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
- -
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Data Source: Daily Ontario Commodity Report
Soybean Meal vs. DDGS (C$/tonne)
Soybean Meal (Hamilton + $20) (left) FOB Chatham, Sarnia, Aylmer Avg. DDGS Prices

6. Most Ontario Cow Calf Operations
are Hay/Forage/Pasture Based
• Is that the most cost effective, feeding
program?
• Are you generating income from your land
base or minimizing feed costs?
• What are your options for your land base?
• Are other feed ingredients that are more
cost effective?

7. “Feeding Crop Residues to
Reduce Feed Costs”

8. The Basics of Feeding Crop
Residues
• Source of energy and effective fibre - low in
protein.
• Palatability challenges can depress dry
matter intake
• Very slowly digested, processing may be
beneficial.
• Important to balance energy, protein,
minerals and vitamins –keep the rumen
functioning!

10. Effective Use Of Crop Residues
• Very slowly digested – 1.25% (D.M. basis)
of body weight maximum in a 24 hour
period.
• For example - 1200 lb cow-
15lbs./hd/24hrs
• Mature cows – maximum 50% of ration
• 2 year old heifers - 25% of ration

11. Nutrient Content of Various Roughages
StrawStraw DMDM
%%
TDNTDN
%%
NEmNEm
Mcal/lbMcal/lb
CPCP
%%
ADFADF
%%
CaCa
%%
PP
%%
100% Dry Matter Basis100% Dry Matter Basis
Timothy Hay
(mature)
88.0 57 0.56 8.0 45 0.40 0.20
Millet 86.0 51 0.47 7.0 45 0.44 0.12
Corn Stover 85.0 50 0.44 5.9 39 0.57 0.10
Oat 90.0 47 0.45 4.5 50 0.27 0.10
Barley 90.0 43 0.38 4.1 52 0.37 0.11
Wheat 90.0 43 0.40 3.6 52 0.19 0.09
Soybean 88.0 42 0.44 5.2 55 1.59 0.06
Rye 88.0 41 0.40 3.6 53 0.22 0.08
Flax 87.0 37 0.36 4.3 56 0.63 0.06

12. Cost Breakpoint for Corn/Hay Substitution
40
60
80
100
120
80 120 160 200
Corn Price* ($/tonne)
*add $10-15 above delivered price for processing
HayPrice*($/tonne)
$/tonne=centsperlb.x22
Use hay only
Use corn for partial hay replacement

13. Intake and Digestibility of Hay by
Cows fed Increasing Levels of Corn
Corn, lbs None 2.2 4.4 6.6
Hay, DMI, lbs 19.3 18 14.1 11.2
% B. Wt. 2.3 2.14 1.66 1.32
Total DMI, lbs 20.9 21.1 18.6 17.2
Starch Intake, lbs -------- 1.48 2.95 4.74
DIP Intake, gm 153 130 106 84
DOMI, lbs 7.5 8.4 7.1 7.3
Hay Digest. % 36.5 35.1 23.6 18.9
JAS 65:557

14. By-products – “forage friendly”
supplements
• Low starch content
• Rumen pH less affected-improved fibre
digestion.
• ↑ protein levels-enhanced fibre digestion.
• The rumen microbial population is not
shifted away from those responsible for
optimal fibre digestion.

15. High Energy Low Starch By-Product
Feeds
Feed CP, % DIP, % CP UIP, % CP TDN, % Starch, %
DDG/S 30.4 48 52 90 18
B/Gs 29 50 50 66 10.7
SBH 12 75 25 77 6
CGF 23.8 78 22 80 25.4
Wheat
Midds
18.7 79 21 69 37.8
NRC – Beef 2000 Update, PAS 16:69 - 99NRC – Beef 2000 Update, PAS 16:69 - 99

16. Digestibility of Low Quality Forage
Supplemented with CGF or DDGS
StoverStover
StoverStover
+ Corn+ Corn
StoverStover
+ CGF+ CGF
Stover +Stover +
DDGDDG
Dry matterDry matter
Intake, % BWIntake, % BW
0.750.75 1.581.58 1.671.67 1.401.40
Forage IntakeForage Intake
lbs/daylbs/day
5.675.67 6.686.68 6.9976.997 6.396.39
DigestibilityDigestibility
% of Dry Matter% of Dry Matter
39.139.1 53.753.7 58.958.9 59.459.4
Iowa State University

17. 2012 -The Year of Summer
Seeded Oats

18. Oatlage as a Forage Replacement
• 2012-an estimated 100,000 acres seeded
after wheat/vegetable harvest.
• Yields were generally higher than expected.
• Most harvested wet & wrapped or stored in
bunker.
• On average 12.2% Protein, 65.6% TDN,
47% NDF (Fibre) 7.47 % Starch
• Very palatable, good companion ingredient
with corn stalks, straws, etc.

19. Double Cropped Cereals
% K Yield t/ac K2O lb/ac
Oat 2.45 4786 141
Oat/pea 2.78 4818 161
Barley 2.39 4145 119
Johnson 2012

21. Byproducts/Crop Residues Work
Best With…..
• Feed bunks - (approximately 2 feet/head)
• TMR mixer

24. TMR – Efficiencies vs. Hay
• Lower wastage vs. hay feeder  10%10%
• Ionophore feed efficiency  8%8%
• TMR ration  5%5%
About 20% more efficient per unitAbout 20% more efficient per unit
feed placed in bunk than hay feedersfeed placed in bunk than hay feeders
At a ration cost of $1.75 per hd/dAt a ration cost of $1.75 per hd/d
saves about 35saves about 35¢ per head per day¢ per head per day

25. Let’s assume:
• Using various commodities, reduced hay
rations or bulk feeds a producer can save:
‒ 35 ¢ per cow/d for a 120 day feeding
period
‒ $0.35 /d x 120d = $42.00
• This justifies a $42 dollars per cow per year
investment for feeding system
• Does not include improved labour efficiency
(and safety) as well as flexibility for
“opportunity feeds.”

26. Ingredients to Improveto Improve Ration
Palatability
• Moist Corn Gluten
• Wet Distillers Grains
• Steep Water
• Condensed Distillers Solubles
• Wet Brewers Grains
• Vegetable by-products (potatoes,carrots)Vegetable by-products (potatoes,carrots)
• Glycerol ?

27. CDS
D.M. - 25-30%
Protein - 20%
TDN - 93%

28. Corn Distillers Grains with Solubles
Great source of protein, energy, phosphorus, digestible fibre
• protein content (27-31%)
• good RUP levels (55-60%)
• NDF (40-44%)
• fat (10-11%)
• low in lysine
• high in energy 120-150% of dry rolled
corn
‒ can replace protein and energy sources
‒ similar performance for wet or dry - higher energy in wet
‒ normal feeding levels around 10- 20% of dry matter intake
‒ beef research trials have successfully fed up to 50%
‒ feed trials show improvements in gain and feed conversion
‒ may eliminate the need for supplemental phosphorus

29. Ontario Plants’
Ethanol/Byproduct Production
PlantPlant Capacity (MillionCapacity (Million
liters)liters)
DGs ProductionDGs Production
Dry EquivalentDry Equivalent
(Thousand tonnes)(Thousand tonnes)
GreenField (Chatham) 125 100
GreenField (Tiverton) 25 20
Suncor (St. Clair) 400 320
GreenField (Johnstown) 200 160
IGPC (Aylmer) 150 120
Kawartha Ethanol (Havelock) 80 64
TotalsTotals 10301030 784784

30. Beneficial Features of Distillers
• Excellent source of bypass protein
• High in Fat (energy)
• High levels of phosphorus
• Starch ↓ Digestible fibre ↑
• Contains yeasts and vitamins
• Probiotic
• Palatable
• Very versatile feed ingredient

31. Potential Limitations of DGS
• Variability in
‒ nutrient content
‒ digestibility
‒ particle size
• Protein levels (27-31%)
• Fat levels
• Mycotoxin levels
• Sulphur levels
• Storage challenges
• Transportation

32. Replacing/Supplementing Hay
with DDGS
%TDN %Protein Price/¢lb
Mature hay 55 12 7.0
DDGS 88 27 10.0
Replace: Total Cost
10 lbs Hay 5.5 lbs 1.2 lbs 70.0
With:
6.25 lbs 5.5lbs 1.809 62.5
DDGS
Savings-7.5 cents !

33. Percent of Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles in
Diet
Item 0 10 20 30 40
Dry matter intake,
lb
20.80 21.80 20.80 21.20 20.70
Average daily gain,
lb
3.29 3.55 3.71 3.56 3.56
Final body weight,
lb
1230 1266 1297 1273 1258
Feed/gain 6.32 6.15 5.60 5.93 5.77
University of Nebraska
Inclusion Rates

34. University of Guelph
Whole Shelled Corn plus Distillers
DDGSDDGS MWDGSMWDGS
Inclusion %Inclusion % ControlControl 16.716.7 33.333.3 50.050.0 16.716.7 33.333.3 50.050.0
Initial BW, kgInitial BW, kg 349349 369369 343343 355355 369369 345345 334334
Final BW, kgFinal BW, kg 584584 558558 604604 559559 580580 580580 573573
ADG, kg/dADG, kg/d 1.651.65 1.741.74 1.701.70 1.911.91 1.861.86 1.971.97 1.811.81
DM intake, kg/dDM intake, kg/d 10.910.9 11.111.1 11.011.0 11.011.0 10.810.8 12.412.4 11.111.1
DM intake, % of BWDM intake, % of BW 2.182.18 2.062.06 2.022.02 2.182.18 2.002.00 2.172.17 2.212.21
Gain: Feed, kg/kgGain: Feed, kg/kg 0.1380.138 0.1550.155 0.1430.143 0.1520.152 0.1760.176 0.1460.146 0.1590.159
Days on FeedDays on Feed 152152 115115 160160 116116 118118 121121 140140
Rumen pHRumen pH 5.485.48 5.605.60 5.205.20 5.725.72 5.575.57 5.405.40 5.605.60
Corn dry distillers grains plus soluble (% of diet DM) - DDGS
Corn modified wet distillers grains plus soluble (% of diet DM)-MWDGS

35. Calcium Oxide to Improve DDGS
Feeding Value?
• Recent research at Purdue University.
• Intended to neutralize the acidic conditions
generated when feeding high levels of DDGS
(60% of diet) due to residual Sulfur.
• Feeding Ca O at 1.6% of diet shown to
improve fibre digestibility, feed efficiency and
dressing % -higher levels (2.4%) may have
negative impacts.
• Presently CaO is not a CFIA approved
ingredient.

36. Corn Gluten Feed
• medium protein (21-23%) RUP (30%)
• energy levels -10-13%less than corn
• low starch levels (reduced risk of
acidosis)
• low fat or oil levels (2-3%)
• digestible fibre makes it a good forage
supplement

37. Corn Gluten Feed
Ontario production
• approx. 151,000 tonnes dried corn
gluten feed
• approx. 75,000 tonnes moist corn
gluten feed
London, Cardinal, Port Colborne,
Collingwood

38. Performance Results Of 84 Steers Conducted
By J.L. Firkins And Others At The University
Of Illinois
SBM
(7.8%)
Of DMI
DCGF
(34.9%)
Of DMI
WCGF
(34.9%)
Of DMI
DDGS
(17.4%)
Of DMI
Initial Wt., kg 274 275 276 273
Final Wt., kg 394 422 418 426
Daily Gain , kg 1.24 1.52 1.46 1.57
Daily Feed, kg 9.61 10.42 9.52 8.99
Feed/gain 7.73 6.86 6.52 5.71
Diet Protein % 11.4 11.2 11.9 11.8

39. Soybean Hulls
• Protein-12-14% Energy -77% TDN
• Fiber is very digestible
• Versatile feed ingredient
• Low- to medium-quality forage is needed
to maintain rumen function and slow
passage rate

40. Synergistic Effects of Dried Distillers Grains and Soybean Hulls
as Supplements for Backgrounding Calves
Co-product Supplement
DDG DDG/SBH SBH/DDG SBH
Initial bodyweight, lb 604 608 606 600
Bodyweight gain, lb/day
Day 0-14 0.73 1.19 1.37 1.39
Day 14-28 1.98 2.07 1.78 1.48
Day 28-42 2.05 2.07 2.36 1.50
Day 0-42 1.59 1.76 1.83 1.45
Estimated mean hay intake,
lb/d 6.0 7.16 7.95 6.45
Estimated total intake, lb/d 11.45 12.84 13.85 12.58
Feed: Gain 7.81 7.69 8.13 9.26
DDG, 6.17 lb/d dried distillers grains; DDG/SBH, 4.19 lb/d DDG, 2.16 lb/d soybean hulls; SBH/DDG 4.52 lb/d
SBH, 2.11 lb/d DDG; SBH, 6.87 lb/d SBH.

41. Technology for Precision
Management
• Is the beef industry keeping pace with
other commodities?
• Are you interested in using technology to
support better feed management?

42. Examples of TechnologyExamples of Technology
Real Time Feed AnalysisReal Time Feed Analysis
- Near Infrared Spectrometery (NIRS) on- Near Infrared Spectrometery (NIRS) on
farmfarm
- Possible? Cost Effective?- Possible? Cost Effective?
Real Time Animal WeightsReal Time Animal Weights
- Improved Management- Improved Management
- RFID added value- RFID added value
DronesDrones
- better in-field feed management?- better in-field feed management?

43. HarvestLab is an NIR moisture sensor and
constituent sensor used both in the field on a
Self Propelled Forage Harvester and in the office
as a stand-alone unit.
Moisture Calibrations
HarvestLab measures moisture/dry matter for the
following crops:
• Corn
• Alfalfa
• Grass
• Whole crop
Constituent Sensing Calibrations
Additional constituent sensing calibrations are available
to measure constituents for the following crops:
• Corn (fresh and ensiled). Measure ADF, NDF,
Protein, Starch
Coming soon
• Alfalfa (fresh and ensiled). Measure ADF, NDF,
Protein, Sugar
HarvestLab: Overview
HarvestLabHarvestLab 4444

44. Real Time Cattle
Weights

45. “Bottom Line”
• Be ready to take advantage of opportunity
feeds
• Need to find feed ingredients that work for
you
• Need to understand expenditures versus
potential savings.
• Work closely with a knowledgeable
nutritionist.

46. For more information..
Ron Lackey
Feed Ingredients & By-Products Feeding
Specialist
Stratford Resource Centre
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture ,Food
and Rural Affairs
Phone: (519)271-7407
Fax: (519)273-5278
e-mail: ron.lackey@ontario.ca